Universal standard teat adapter

ABSTRACT

An adapter for positioning a teat on a container having a neck with an outer thread, includes an upper element and a central element, whose upper surface is a platform and whose lower portion includes at least one thread for engaging with the outer thread, the upper element adapted to be juxtaposed on the platform of the central element, the upper and central elements engaging by at least one closing member enabling to rigidly connect the upper element on the central element in a permanent or reversible manner, the space situated between the upper element and the platform being to receive the skirt of the teat, each of the upper and central elements having a central opening, the two central openings being suitable for being juxtaposed, the opening of the upper element intended to receive the teat, which can be slipped on from the inner surface of the upper element.

The present invention relates to the field of child care, particularlynutrition for young children. The term young child according to thepresent invention refers to a child from 0 to 6 years of age. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to an adapter intended forpositioning a teat on a container including a neck provided with anouter thread, said container preferably being a bottle or a nursingbottle.

The use of mineral water to dilute milk formula for young children orfor drinking between two feeds is well-known and recommended to parents.It would thus be convenient to be able to fit a teat directly on amineral water bottle, when water is used alone. This problem, alreadyknown in the prior art, has given rise to the design of teat adaptersintended to be mounted on bottles (see for example FR2646146). However,the adapters according to the prior art have proven not to be suitablefor general use: either they are devised for specific teats, or thepositioning of the teat in the adapter is difficult: the teat isdifficult to position correctly in the adapter, the teat comes out whenpulled for the first time or during sucking, defective tightness, etc.

However, parents generally use standard teats and continue to be facedwith the problem of adapting these teats, depending on the time of day,on both bottles and nursing bottles. The invention provides a simpleadapter, suitable for fitting onto a nursing bottle, preferably astandard nursing bottle, and/or onto a bottle. The term “standard”according to the present invention refers to a product with a marketshare of over 50% in a given country.

Moreover, it is well-known that parents are frequently faced with theproblem of carrying their child while preparing the nursing bottle ordrink. However, all the adapters according to the prior art require theuse of both hands of the person preparing the bottle in order toposition the teat correctly in the adapter, which rules out thepossibility of such a person carrying the child while preparing thenursing bottle or drink.

The aim of the invention is that of providing parents and childcareworkers caring for young children with a teat adapter, capable offitting a teat, preferably a standard teat, onto a container includingan outer thread, particularly a bottle of mineral water or a nursingbottle, wherein said adapter is such that the teat is easy to fit andthe tightness of the device consisting of the bottle or nursing bottle,the adapter and the teat is guaranteed.

The adapter according to the present invention is an annular ringincluding an upper element and a central element, which are two separateportions. By presenting a ring in a plurality of portions, the Applicantgoes against the preconceived idea of those skilled in the art wherebyan adapter is a product consisting of a single portion, generally a ringwith various inner threads (see for example US2007095778), to preventany tightness problem. However, the Applicant demonstrates, in thepresent invention, that perfect tightness can be guaranteed with anadapter including a plurality of separate elements.

The tightness of the adapter, in use, is essential. Indeed, it isimpossible to offer a user an adapter giving rise to liquid leakages.WO2009/091084 discloses a very specific flexible nursing bottle, whereinthe teat mounting system is limited to an outer hook 115 (see FIG. 12).However, such a hook is well-known as being insufficient forguaranteeing the tightness of the device. In the invention, a tab isenvisaged, but only to facilitate the opening of the effective means forclosing the flap on the central element. Moreover, the mounting systemon the nursing bottle according to WO2009/091084 makes use of theflexibility of the neck of the nursing bottle, which is a significantrisk in respect of tightness.

In this way, the invention relates to an adapter intended forpositioning a teat on a container comprising a neck provided with anouter thread, said container preferably being a mineral water bottle ora nursing bottle, particularly a standard nursing bottle, characterisedin that said adapter comprises two portions, an upper element and acentral element, the upper surface of which is referred to as theplatform and the lower portion of which comprises at least one threadsuitable for engaging with said outer thread of said container, saidupper element being suitable for being juxtaposed on the platform of thecentral element, the upper element and the central element engaging byat least one closing means suitable for rigidly connecting the upperelement on the central element in a permanent or reversible manner, saidadapter further comprising a rigid connection area acting as a hingebetween the circumference of the upper element and the circumference ofthe platform, wherein the upper element and the central element are notrigidly connected by screwing, the space between the upper element andthe platform of the central element being designed to receive the skirtof the teat, said upper element and said central element each having acentral opening, the two central openings being suitable for beingjuxtaposed, the opening of the upper element being intended forreceiving the teat, which can be slipped on from the inner surface ofthe upper element.

According to the present invention, the term circumference refers to aclosed curved line defining a surface. It is also the length of thisclosed curved line; the outer circumference of the central element or ofthe upper element refers to the limit of the central element or of theupper element; the inner circumference of the central element or of theupper element consists of the perimeter of the central opening.

The presence of a rigid connection area leads the upper element not tobe separate from the central element, but is rigidly connected to thecentral element over a small portion of the circumference thereof, so asto be suitable for folding onto the central element.

Preferably, the means for closing the upper element on the centralelement are composed of means for holding the lower element on the upperelement. According to one embodiment, said closing means comprise atleast two pairs of male and female means, respectively, wherein the malemeans provided on the upper element or on the central element aresuitable for engaging with the female means provided on the centralelement or on the upper element, respectively, such that this engagementresults in optionally reversible closure of the adapter. According to afirst embodiment, said closing means are provided on the inner face,more specifically on the periphery of the inner face of the upperelement and opposite on the periphery of the upper portion of thecentral element. According to a second embodiment, said closing meansinclude at least two male elements protruding from the outercircumference of the upper element, suitable for being folded down alongthe central element and engaging with at least two opposite femaleelements provided on the circumference of the central element. Accordingto a third embodiment, said closing means are arranged on the upperelement and opposite the platform, bordering the area occupied by theskirt of the teat.

According to a first embodiment, said pairs of means are circular.According to a second embodiment, the adapter preferably comprises 2, 4,6, 8, 10 pairs of individual means distributed on the periphery.

Advantageously, the adapter according to the invention further comprisessealing means comprising either means for pressing on the skirt of theteat, i.e. a lug situated on the central element bordering the teat andcoming into contact with the upper element when the adapter is in theclosed position. Advantageously, said sealing means are circular. Theterm “bordering” according to the present invention refers to contactwith the circumference of the skirt of the teat or within less than 1millimetre, preferably less than 0.8 millimetres, very preferentiallyless than 0.3 millimetres from the circumference of the skirt of theteat.

Advantageously, the upper element further comprises a tab protrudingfrom the circumference of said upper element, or a notch provided in thecircumference of said upper element, the tab or notch is diametricallyopposite, on the circumference of the upper element, the rigidconnection area, said tab or notch enabling the user to apply upwardpressure on the upper element to detach the closing means and open theupper element. Obviously, in the present invention, the tab alone doesnot form means for closing the upper element on the central element.

According to the invention, the lower portion of the central element iscircular and threaded in the inner portion thereof and the heightthereof is suitable for fitting on the neck of a bottle and/or nursingbottle. Preferably, the lower portion of the central element comprisestwo threads, one suitable for engaging with the thread of the neck of abottle and the other suitable for engaging with the thread of the neckof a nursing bottle.

Advantageously, the thickness and/or height of the upper element on theinner circumference thereof is less than the distance between the skirtand the circular lip of the teat.

According to one embodiment, the adapter further comprises a filterrigidly connected to the lower portion of the central element.Preferably, in this embodiment, the adapter is such that:

-   -   the lower portion of the central element comprises two threads,        one suitable for engaging with the thread of the neck of a        bottle and the other suitable for engaging with the thread of        the neck of a nursing bottle;    -   the filter comprises a thread with an identical diameter to that        of a bottle; and    -   the filter is rigidly connected to the lower portion of the        central element by screwing on the thread corresponding to the        neck of a bottle.

This embodiment offers the advantage of enabling filtration of thecontent of a nursing bottle using the adapter according to theinvention.

The invention also relates to a container, preferably a bottle ornursing bottle, fitted with an adapter according to the invention. Thecontainer includes a neck provided with a thread whereon an adapteraccording to the invention is fitted, typically by screwing.

The invention also relates to a method for fitting, with one hand, ateat on a container, such as a bottle or nursing bottle, including aneck provided with a thread, characterised in that said method comprisesthe following steps:

-   -   screwing an adapter onto the neck of said container, wherein        said container can optionally be placed on a support such as a        table or worktop,    -   checking that the adapter is in the open position or opening the        upper element of the adapter,    -   fitting a teat, preferably a standard teat, said fitting being        carried out by slipping the teat into the central opening of the        upper element using the inner portion of said upper element,        such that the skirt of the teat is held by the inner annular        portion of the upper element,    -   folding down the upper element on the platform,    -   applying pressure in order to activate the system for closing        said adapter.

According to one particular embodiment of the invention, the adapter isscrewed onto an empty nursing bottle, and the person preparing fills thenursing bottle before or after fitting the teat, but before folding downthe upper element on the platform.

In this way, the adapter according to the invention is suitable forrigidly connecting a teat to a bottle or nursing bottle tightly with onehand. The acceptability of a standard teat is a further advantage of theinvention with respect to adapters according to the prior art, whichfrequently require the use of specially adapted teats.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention will be understood more clearly on reading the followingdetailed description, illustrating the invention in a non-limitingmanner and describing various embodiments specified merely as examples,with reference to the appended figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an adapter according to the invention inthe open position, wherein a teat has been positioned, said adapterbeing provided with a thread, with which a container engages.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an adapter according to the invention inthe closed position, wherein a teat has been positioned, said adapterbeing provided with two threads.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an adapter according to the invention inthe closed position, wherein a teat has been positioned, said adapterbeing provided with a thread.

The adapter 1 according to the invention, shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, is anannular ring comprising an annular upper element 6, referred to as a“flap”, and an annular central element 7, wherein the upper portion 7 ais referred to as a “platform” and wherein the lower portion 7 bincludes at least one thread 8. When the adapter 1 is in the openposition (see FIG. 1), the flap 6 is raised; when the adapter 1 is inthe closed position (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 3), the flap 6 is juxtaposed onthe platform 7 a and is rigidly connected, permanently or not, with theplatform 7 a.

The upper element 6 and the central element 7 each have a centralopening (10 and 11) suitable for receiving the teat 2 and allowing theflow of the liquid contained in the container 3 whereon the adapter 1 isplaced.

The upper element 6 and the platform 7 a of the central element 7 havedimensions such that the upper element 6 is suitable for beingjuxtaposed on the platform 7 a of the central element 7; and the twocentral openings 10 and 11 are of suitable sizes for juxtaposition.According to the invention, the space 9 between the upper element 6 andthe platform 7 a of the central element 7, when the adapter 1 is in theclosed position, is designed to receive the skirt of the teat 2.According to one particular embodiment of the invention, in the closedposition, the skirt is compressed by a male element situated on theinner face 12 of the upper element 6.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a portion of therespective circumferences of the upper element 6 and of the centralelement 7 are rigidly connected by any suitable means. According to onepreferred embodiment of the invention, the suitable means are a rigidconnection area 13, joining the upper element 6 and the central element7, preferably joining the upper element 6 with the platform 7 a.

Said rigid connection area 13 is suitable for folding the upper element6 back or down on the central element 7 and thus the juxtaposition ofthe upper element 6 on the central element 7.

According to the invention, the upper element 6 and the central element7 also engage with at least one closing means 14 for holding the upperelement 6 on the platform 7 a, or rigidly connecting, in a permanent orreversible manner, the upper element 6 on the central element 7.

In this way, the adapter 1 according to the invention has a dual sealingsystem: firstly, the closing means 14 between the upper element 6 andthe central element 7, and secondly, the skirt of the teat 2 acting as aseal. In this way, the technical problem of tightness underlying thepresent invention is solved particularly effectively.

According to one preferred embodiment, said closing means 14 are meansfor snap-fastening the upper element 6 on the central element 7.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the closing means 14are permanent, meaning that the upper element 6 is sealed on the centralelement 7 and can no longer, after closing, be detached from the centralelement 7 without damaging the adapter 1.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, said closing means 14are reversible, meaning that said closing means 14 can be positioned andsubsequently opened and closed and reopened the number of times requiredand indefinitely up to the breaking strength of the constituentmaterial. In this embodiment, preferably, the pressure to be applied tosnap-fasten the upper element 6 on the central element 7 is suitable forbeing applied by the user with one hand.

Advantageously, the closing means 14 are means for holding the upperelement 6 on the platform 7 a. According to one particular embodiment ofthe invention, the closing means 14 are composed of male or femalemeans, respectively, provided on the outer periphery of the inner face12 of the upper element 6, which are suitable for engaging with femaleor male means, respectively, provided opposite on the platform 7 a.Advantageously, said means are clips, fasteners, studs, lugs, spurs andcorresponding female parts. The thickness of the platform 7 a issuitable for receiving the male or female means, respectively, requiredto close the adapter 1.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the closing means 14are spurs or lugs protruding from the plane of the inner surface of theupper element 6, engaging with openings or corresponding female meansbored in the platform 7 a.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the closing means 14are spurs or lugs protruding from the plane of the platform 7 a andengaging with openings or corresponding female means bored in the innersurface of the upper element 6.

According to a third embodiment of the invention, the closing means 14are both spurs or lugs protruding from the plane of the platform 7 a andfemale elements bored in the platform 7 a, and on the inner face 12 ofthe upper element 6, opposite, of female elements corresponding to saidlugs or spurs and spurs or lugs corresponding to said female elements.

Said closing, particularly snap-fastening, means 14 are such that theforce applied by the child's sucking on the teat 2 is not sufficient torender said closing means 14 inoperative. In this way, said closingmeans 14 can only be opened if the pressure applied on the upper element6 is greater than the pressure applied by the child's sucking.Preferably, the pressure to be applied to detach the closing means 14or, according to a preferred embodiment, “disengage” the upper element 6from the central element 7, can be applied by the user with one hands.

Advantageously, said closing means 14 are arranged on the upper element6, and opposite on the platform 7 a, bordering the space occupied by theskirt of the teat 2 when the teat 2 is positioned in the adapter 1. Inthis way, said closing means 14 also fulfil a retention and lockingfunction of the teat 2 when the adapter 1 is in the closed position.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the upperelement 6 further includes a tab 16 protruding from the circumference ofsaid upper element 6, said tab enabling the user to apply an upwardpressure on the upper element 6 to detach the closing means 14 and openthe upper element 6. Preferably, the protruding tab 16 is diametricallyopposite, on the circumference of the upper element 6, to the rigidconnection area 13. Advantageously, the protruding tab 16 is mouldedwith the upper element 6.

The upper element 6 thus has a central opening 11 suitable for receivingthe body of the teat 2, said teat being held by the skirt thereof whichremains held firstly by the inner face 12 of the upper element 6 andsecondly by the circular lip 17 of the teat 2, situated just above theouter face of the upper element 6. Advantageously, the thickness of theupper element 6 at the inner circumference thereof (juxtaposing theopening) is thus less than or equal to the distance separating the skirtfrom the circular lip 17 of the teat 2. The term circular lip refers tothe bulge situated at the base of standard teats, above the skirt.

Preferably, the upper element 6 and the central element 7 is made of thesame material, preferably a food grade plastic, advantageouslycontaining no bisphenol A. According to one particular embodiment of theinvention, the upper element 6, the central element 7, the rigidconnection area 13 and the tab 16 are made of the same material and,according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, moulded from onepiece.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the adapter 1further includes a stopper [not shown] suitable for closing the centralopening when the teat 2 has not yet been placed in the adapter.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the adapter 1 furtherincludes a cap [not shown] suitable for being reversibly attached on theupper element 6 and for protecting the teat 2.

According to the invention, the lower portion 7 b of the central element7 comprises at least one circular portion, rigidly connected to thelower portion of the platform 7 a. This circular portion may have thesame diameter as the platform 7 a, or a different diameter to that ofthe platform 7 a.

This circular portion of the lower portion 7 b of the central element 7is provided with at least one inner thread 8, suitable for engaging onthe outer thread 5 of a bottle, typically of mineral water and/or anursing bottle, typically a standard nursing bottle. Advantageously, theheight of the threaded lower portion 7 b of the central element 7 issuch that it can be fitted on the neck 4 of a bottle. According to afirst embodiment, the lower portion 7 b of the central element 7 isprovided with a single thread 8, suitable for engaging with the outerthread 5 of a neck of a bottle or with the outer thread 5 of a neck of anursing bottle. In this embodiment, in a first alternative embodiment,the adapter 1 according to the invention does not contain any portionsusceptible to enter the bottle and/or nursing bottle: it consists of anexternal adapter, suitable for being screwed onto the outer thread 5 ofsaid bottle or nursing bottle; in the second alternative embodiment, theadapter further comprises a filter 18 suitable for extending into thebottle or nursing bottle.

According to one particular embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2,the lower element 7 comprises two circular portions rigidly connected tothe lower portion of platform 7 a, each provided with a thread 8 and 15,wherein one is suitable for engaging with the thread of the neck of abottle of mineral water in particular and the other is suitable forengaging with the thread of the neck of a nursing bottle.Advantageously, the height of the thread area 15 suitable for a bottleof mineral water is suitable for the neck 4 of a bottle of mineralwater, and is less than the height of the thread suitable for a nursingbottle, as shown in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the adapter 1 can beused equally well on a bottle or on a nursing bottle.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the teat 2 is astandard teat, made of rubber or silicone. According to anotherembodiment, the teat is a valve tip such as those fitted on sportsbottles (for cyclists in particular), wherein the lower portion forms askirt.

According to one preferred embodiment, the adapter 1 according to theinvention does not have any thread other than those required to fit thelower portion 7 b of the central element 7 onto a container 3 providedwith an outer thread 5. In particular, it does not contain a threadedstructure for guiding the teat.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the bottle whereon theadapter 1 can be fitted is a bottle of water, a bottle of fruit juice, abottle containing soup, or a bottle containing any other beveragesuitable for young children.

According to one embodiment, the adapter 1 further comprises a filter 18rigidly connected to the lower portion 7 b of the central element 7.This embodiment particularly offers the advantage of enabling thefiltration of the contents of a nursing bottle using the adapteraccording to the invention. In particular, this embodiment is suitablefor filtering water.

According to a first embodiment, the filter 18 is rigidly connected withthe lower portion 7 b of the central element 7 by screwing orinterlocking. According to a second embodiment, the filter 18 and thelower portion 7 b of the central element are sealed.

According to a preferred embodiment, the adapter 1 comprising a filter18 is such that:

-   -   the lower portion 7 b of the central element 7 comprises two        threads, one suitable for engaging with the thread of a neck of        a bottle (thread 15), the other suitable for engaging with the        thread of the neck of a nursing bottle (thread 8);    -   the filter 18 comprises an outer thread identical to that of a        bottle; and    -   the filter 18 is rigidly connected with the lower portion 7 b of        the central element 7 by screwing onto the thread 15        corresponding to the neck of a bottle.

According to one embodiment, the filter 18 comprises a porous containercontaining a filtering material. According to one embodiment, the filter18 further comprises a usage indicator.

According to a first embodiment, the filter 18 is a carbon filter.Advantageously, the filter is suitable for removing chlorine andimproving the taste and odour of water. According to a secondembodiment, the filter 18 is a filter suitable for removingcontamination such as lead, nitrates, bacteria and/or viruses fromwater. According to a third embodiment, the filter 18 comprises a carbonfilter for removing chlorine and improving the taste and odour and oneor more filters, independent or not, for removing various contaminationssuch as lead, nitrates, bacteria or viruses.

According to one embodiment, the dimensions of the filter 18 are suchthat it is suitable for use with a standard nursing bottle.

According to one embodiment, the adapter 1 further includes a thindiffusion container (not shown), in which a substance to be diffused inthe liquid contained in the container 3 or during the flow of the liquidcontained in the container 3. In this embodiment, the diffusioncontainer is preferably rigidly connected to the lower portion 7 b ofthe central element 7 by screwing or interlocking. Said substance maynamely be tea, herbal tea, a syrup or an aromatic food composition.

1. Adapter (1) intended for positioning a teat (2) on a container (3)comprising a neck (4) provided with an outer thread (5), said container(3) preferably being a bottle or a nursing bottle, characterised in thatsaid adapter (1) comprises two portions, an upper element (6) and acentral element (7), the upper surface of which is referred to as theplatform (7 a) and the lower portion (7 b) of which comprises at leastone thread (8) suitable for engaging with said outer thread (5) of saidcontainer (3), said upper element (6) being suitable for beingjuxtaposed on the platform (7 a) of the central element (7), the upperelement (6) and the central element (7) engaging by at least one closingmeans (14) enabling to rigidly connect the upper element (6) on thecentral element (7) in a permanent or reversible manner, said adapter(1) further comprising a rigid connection area (13) acting as a hingebetween the circumference of the upper element (6) and the circumferenceof the platform (7 a), wherein the upper element (6) and the centralelement (7) are not rigidly connected by screwing, the space (9)situated between the upper element (6) and the platform (7 a) of thecentral element (7) being designed to receive the skirt of the teat,said upper element (6) and said central element (7) each having acentral opening (10, 11), the two central openings (10, 11) beingsuitable for being juxtaposed, the opening (10) of the upper elementbeing intended for receiving the teat (2), which can be slipped on fromthe inner surface (12) of the upper element (6).
 2. Adapter (1)according to claim 1, characterised in that said closing means (14) ismade of at least two means respectively male or female means, providedon the outer periphery of the inner face (12) of the upper element (6),which are suitable for engaging with female or male means respectivelyprovided opposite on the platform (7 a).
 3. Adapter (1) according toclaim 1, characterised in that said closing means (14) are arranged onthe upper element (6) and opposite on the platform (7 a), bordering thearea occupied by the skirt of the teat (2).
 4. Adapter (1) according toclaim 2, characterised in that the upper element (6) further includesmeans (16) protruding from the circumference of said upper element (6),said means (16) enabling the user to apply upward pressure on the upperelement (6) to detach the closing means (14) and open the upper element(6), said protruding means (16) being diametrically opposite, on thecircumference of the upper element (6), to the rigid connection area(13).
 5. Adapter (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that thelower portion (7 b) of the central element (7) is circular and threadedin the inner portion thereof and the height thereof is adjustable forfitting on the neck (4) of a bottle and/or nursing bottle.
 6. Adapter(1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the lower portion (7 b)of the central element (7) comprises two threads (8, 15), one suitablefor engaging with the thread of the neck of a bottle and the othersuitable for engaging with the thread of the neck of a nursing bottle.7. Adapter (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the thicknessof the upper element (6) is less than the distance between the skirt andthe circular lip (17) of the teat (2).
 8. Adapter (1) according to claim1 further including a filter (18) rigidly connected to the lower portion(7 b) of the central element (7).
 9. Container (3), such as a bottle ornursing bottle, characterised in that it includes a neck (4) providedwith a thread (5) whereon an adapter according to claim 1 is fitted. 10.Method for fitting, with one hand, a teat (2) on a container (3),comprising a neck (4) provided with a thread (5), characterised in thatsaid method comprises the following steps: screwing an adapter (1)according to claim 1 onto the neck (4) of said container (3), checkingthat the adapter (1) is in the open position or opening the upperelement (6) of the adapter (1), fitting a teat (2), preferably astandard teat, said fitting being carried out by slipping the teat intothe central opening (10) of the upper element (6) using the innerportion of said upper element (6), such that the skirt of the teat (2)is held by the inner annular portion of the upper element (6), foldingdown the upper element (6) on the platform (7 a), applying pressure inorder to activate the system for closing said adapter (1).
 11. Adapter(1) according to claim 2, characterised in that said closing means (14)are arranged on the upper element (6) and opposite on the platform (7a), bordering the area occupied by the skirt of the teat (2). 12.Adapter (1) according to claim 3, characterised in that the upperelement (6) further includes means (16) protruding from thecircumference of said upper element (6), said means (16) enabling theuser to apply upward pressure on the upper element (6) to detach theclosing means (14) and open the upper element (6), said protruding means(16) being diametrically opposite, on the circumference of the upperelement (6), to the rigid connection area (13).
 13. Adapter (1)according to claim 2, characterised in that the lower portion (7 b) ofthe central element (7) is circular and threaded in the inner portionthereof and the height thereof is adjustable for fitting on the neck (4)of a bottle and/or nursing bottle.
 14. Adapter (1) according to claim 2,characterised in that the lower portion (7 b) of the central element (7)comprises two threads (8, 15), one suitable for engaging with the threadof the neck of a bottle and the other suitable for engaging with thethread of the neck of a nursing bottle.
 15. Adapter (1) according toclaim 2, characterised in that the thickness of the upper element (6) isless than the distance between the skirt and the circular lip (17) ofthe teat (2).
 16. Adapter (1) according to claim 2 further including afilter (18) rigidly connected to the lower portion (7 b) of the centralelement (7).
 17. Container (3), such as a bottle or nursing bottle,characterised in that it includes a neck (4) provided with a thread (5)whereon an adapter according to claim 2 is fitted.